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Three Marklein Bills Signed Into Law Today
Broadband Expansion Grant program reform, Desert Storm / Desert Shield Memorial Highway and ATV/UTV communications grant reform.
Madison, WI - Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) celebrated the signing of three of his bills into law today.
“I am very proud of my work on behalf of the residents of the 17th Senate District,” Marklein said. “Every session, I seek ways to improve the expansion of rural broadband and our bill accomplishes this goal. I am also honored to work on behalf of the veterans of our state who served in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. The memorial designation of Highway 80 will provide a strong reminder of their service.”
Following is a summary of each Act that was signed into law today:
Broadband Grant Program Reform – Act 77 – This bill further refines the Rural Broadband Expansion Grant Program to make sure it is focused on unserved communities as we also manage a deluge of Federal funding into the broadband expansion world.
Desert Storm & Desert Shield Memorial Highway – Act 69 - Designates and marks State Highway 80 as the Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial Highway. State Highway 80 traverses the entire 17th Senate District from Finley in northern Juneau County all of the way to Hazel Green in southern Grant County. I co-authored this bill with Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc).
ATV Communications Funding – Act 67 transfers the responsibility for awarding grants for communications equipment from the Off-Road Vehicle Council to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). While the council is knowledgeable and passionate about ATVs and UTVs, it is not meant to be a grant-awarding body. This change will allow the DNR to effectively award grant money to nonprofits or non-governmental organizations for trail development, rehabilitation and maintenance, the production of maps, the placement of signs and the purchase of communications equipment. The Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association supported this change.
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